Who We Are

A Trauma-Informed Community

Omaha and our surrounding communities join other cities across the country in making strides to become trauma-informed. This means that every interaction, every decision and every person in the community is seen through a trauma-sensitive lens.

Someone who is informed about trauma would ask: “What happened to you?” (Not: “What is wrong with you?”)

The approach we are taking to become a trauma-informed community is a first in the country. The initiative is being led by Project Harmony, a nonprofit organization in Omaha and a proven leader in building collaborative systems to ending societal issues, like child abuse. They have brought a vast network of nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies and for-profit companies together to create Trauma Matters Omaha.

The goal is to train 22,000 people in our community, which is 5 percent of the population (a tipping point for lasting change). This initiative is a collaborative effort to create a safe, supportive and engaging community.

sign up for trauma-informed training

Where We Serve

We’re a collaboration of individuals and organizations across six counties in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa – including Dodge, Washington, Douglas, Sarpy, and Cass Counties in Nebraska and Pottawattamie County in Iowa – committed to understanding trauma and its effects on our communities.

Our Goal

Each person or organization that might come into contact with a trauma survivor will not only understand, but recognize trauma and respond with compassion and empathy. We are forming a stronger community through our three-step process of building awareness, skill building and acute services.

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”

— Fred Rogers, Composer and Television Host

Partner Agencies

We are grateful to these partners for their leadership and vision in proving that trauma matters in the greater Omaha metro area :

Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska
CHI Health
City of Omaha
Douglas County Commissioners
Douglas County Health Department
Department of Health and Human Services
The Kim Foundation
Nebraska Children and Families Foundation
Nebraska Medicine
Omaha City Council
Omaha Fire Department
Omaha Police Department
Omaha Public Schools
Project Harmony
PromiseShip
Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare
The Sherwood Foundation
United Way of the Midlands
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Women’s Fund of Omaha
YouTurn

Spotlight Story

Online Training

Trauma Matters Omaha is excited to announce its first online trauma training. At about an hour in length, the Trauma Overview is a great introduction into understanding what trauma is, how it impacts the brain and the body, and the power of resilience.